Emily Tsethlikai Photography

Emily Tsethlikai Photography Landscape and wildlife photographer based in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Hello!

I'm a passionate photographer with a deep-seated love for the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains—the most magnificent mountain range in the world. My journey with photography began in the heart of these mountains, amidst their stunning ecology, diverse geology, and rich biodiversity. Growing up, my family's tradition of exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway through week-long camping trips and quick week

end escapes became the backdrop of my childhood. These adventures were not just trips; they were my early education in the beauty and intricacy of the natural world. They sowed the seeds of a lifelong passion for natural resource management and conservation, guiding me toward an academic path in the field. But it's through photography that has truly inspired me to express my admiration and reverence for these mountains. Through my lens, I aim to capture not just the visual splendor of the Blue Ridge Mountains but, also the emotional resonance of each scene. My work is a tribute to the endless beauty of this region, an invitation to explore its wonders, and a reminder of the importance of preserving such natural treasures. Join me in celebrating the profound beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains through my photography. Each image is a chapter of my story, a piece of my heart, and a glimpse into the soul of these mountains that I hold dear.

10/26/2025
Crabtree Falls, North Carolina
10/26/2025

Crabtree Falls, North Carolina

My first attempt at photographing the night sky. No UFOs this time 👽🛸
11/05/2024

My first attempt at photographing the night sky. No UFOs this time 👽🛸

Soco FallsThis rare double waterfall in Soco Gap is located in Maggie Valley, NC, just north of the Eastern Cherokee Res...
05/26/2024

Soco Falls

This rare double waterfall in Soco Gap is located in Maggie Valley, NC, just north of the Eastern Cherokee Reservation. Soco may be an anglicized word for Sagwa’hi, the Cherokee meaning for "one place" and/or the name for the creek in which it flows. I cannot, in good faith, tell you that is the origin or definition of the word. This finding is ultimately from scouring the internet for answers. A lot of resources state that Soco Falls is a known location of "ambush" but I am hesitant to agree with that definition. Upon further investigation of websites maintained by the Eastern Cherokee Band of Indians (ECBI), all that is stated is that the falls hold cultural significance for the Cherokee People in their ancestral lands. Whatever else has been posted online has yet to be substantiated by the ECBI and I would caution others from believing what is posted. Many fables and myths have been posted over the years by other photographers for Soco Falls in what I personally believe is bad faith. I know I am not a popular photographer by any means, but one thing I will do is research the area and the objects of what I have taken pictures of in length. That is something you can always rely on me for. I am always seeking to be educated. In this instance, I have no interest in being educated by anyone other than someone who is of the Eastern Band of Cherokee People.
The main reason I say this is because everything we have learned in school or from state parks about indigenous peoples is mostly false. That is a whole other topic I won't get into right now. I hope you enjoy this beautiful picture of falls that hold cultural and historical importance to a Nation that was wronged in so many ways throughout history. Please, if you see this post, consider donating to the ECBI at https://www.nccommunityfoundation.org/give or if you are considering traveling to this area, please shop and eat at the many shops and restaurants that are owned and operated by Cherokee People. https://visitcherokeenc.com/play/shopping-dining/

Who doesn't love a spooky swamp?The Pandapas Pond is an 8-acre manmade pond located outside of Blacksburg, Va along Rt. ...
05/22/2024

Who doesn't love a spooky swamp?

The Pandapas Pond is an 8-acre manmade pond located outside of Blacksburg, Va along Rt. 460. This pond was developed by Blacksburg resident James Pandapas in 1948 and was originally meant for his employees of Electro-Tec and Poly Scientific to use recreationally. In the 1960s, Pandapas sold his businesses and opened the area up to the public. In 1983, Pandapas sold his 500-acre tract that the pond resides on to the U.S. Forest Service for what it cost him in 1948 and is now part of the Jefferson National Forest.

Canadian geese with their little goslings 🥰
05/22/2024

Canadian geese with their little goslings 🥰

Male American GoldfinchThis brilliantly yellow little fellow is a late breeder, typically waiting until late June, early...
05/22/2024

Male American Goldfinch

This brilliantly yellow little fellow is a late breeder, typically waiting until late June, early July. It is strictly a granivore and its mating season coincides with seed-releasing plants. During the mating season, the males take on a bright yellow to attract mates, while in the winter, they take on a more olive tone like females.

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Rustburg, VA
24588

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+14346091639

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